Michael Strahan named official Live! with Kelly co-host
Former New York Giants NFL star Michael Strahan beat out contenders including Seth Meyers, Josh Groban and others for the coveted cohost spot alongside Kelly Ripa on LIVE!
Ripa confirmed long-running rumours of Strahan’s hiring on yesterday’s (September 4) Live! with Kellyepisode, when she teased that viewers were in for “an exciting morning”.
The former Giants star was then formally announced as Ripa’s new co-host as he walked onto the show’s set to rapturous applause.
“I’m speechless,” Strahan declared, adding: “I adore you [Kelly]. I am so happy to be here and be a part of this.”
He went on to say: “You know how they say it’s a dream come true? I truly can’t say I even dreamed this!”
Live! with Kelly’s producer Michael Gelman also suggested that Strahan was the perfect choice because his and Ripa’s chemistry is “off the charts”.
“The interaction between the co-hosts always has been what makes this show different from any other on television,” Gelman explained. “Kelly and Michael’s ability to play off of one another and just plain have a good time together creates great TV for the audience.”
Strahan’s pairing with Ripa was praised this week by Regis Philbin, who was Live!’s host for more than 25 years.
“It’s going to be interesting. I think it’s going to work out. It’s going to be fine,” he said.
Philbin exited Live! in a star-studded tribute on November 18, 2011.
